Due Friday by 9 pm

My best friend recently confided in me and said that his marriage was crumbling and he was opting for divorce.

Questioning: In response, I asked him whether he was serious about his decision or was he looking for an easy way out. What is happening in your marriage?

I used the questioning response to gather more information from my friend to fathom the reasons behind his decision on wanting to end his marriage. Questioning was intended at trying to point my friend towards his reasons for the divorce. If he heard himself say out loud what his reasons for the divorce were, then maybe it would have helped him to rethink on his decision. Furthermore, questioning helped me to determine how to frame my subsequent questions and respond adequately to his situation in case he needed advise. I also supported my friend by telling him that I will be there for him through the whole ordeal, and if he needed a place to crash that my home was his home. The questioning response was the best method because it enables my friend and I to go through her situation in a conclusive manner.

My friend said to me, ‘‘I am thinking of dating Aric.’’

Supporting: I responded by saying that I was happy and pleased with her decision. I told her that Aric is a great guy who will make a great boyfriend for her.

I decided on using a supportive response in replying to my friend. The reason for my decision is that I know both my friend and Aric and therefore, I had prior information on both of their characters. I was aware that they would make a great couple and therefore, I needed to support my friend’s decision to date Aric. I believe that the supporting response was the best since it affirmed my friend’s decision rather than if I used a questioning response which would cast doubts.

My sister said to me, ‘‘I am going to buy a car.’’

Supporting I responded by showing how pleased I was with my sister’s decision and knew that’s what she wanted during her college stay.

I chose the supportive response because I knew that my sister has wanted to own a vehicle since she completed her degree in college. She would often complain that she was forced to hitch rides from her friends or ride the bus since she did not have her own means of transportation. I told her that buying a car was a great decision, and I’ll be right there at the dealership on her big day. My sister’s response on how I supported her was shown by her smile, and this showed that I recognized her need to own a car. The supportive response was the best option as it allowed me to support my sister’s wishes to own a vehicle.